GOP push to end ACA without replacement imperils millions of Michiganders

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

LANSING — The U.S. Senate Republican’s plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement would devastate millions of Michiganders, Michigan House Democrats warned Tuesday as they renewed calls to pass the Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights. It’s estimated that nearly 700,000 Michiganders would be thrown off of the Healthy Michigan plan and more than 4 million people could be dumped by health insurers because they have pre-existing conditions. The Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights, or House Resolution 139, would protect individuals’ right to high-quality, affordable health care options.

“I have heard from hundreds of constituents who are scared about losing their health care because of what politicians are doing in Washington,” said state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn). “People remember how hard it was to find an affordable health care plan that offered real coverage before the ACA, and they don’t want to go back to those days — but that’s where Washington Republicans seem determined to take us, and that’s why we need the Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights.”

If Senate Republicans repeal the ACA without a replacement with a two-year delay, the following would happen in Michigan, according to Families USA:

4.4 million Michiganders with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, asthma or diabetes could be denied affordable, comprehensive care by insurers.

The state of Michigan will lose $3.1 billion in Medicaid and CHIP funding it receives through the ACA, burdening an already strained state budget.

Lifetime caps on coverage, which had existed on plans that covered 3.5 million Michiganders but were abolished by the ACA, could be reinstated.

Women could again be charged more for the same health care plan as men — before the ACA, Michigan women were charged up to 32 percent more for the same coverage.

The Medicare “donut hole” would re-open, costing seniors and people with disabilities millions of dollars in prescription drug coverage. The ACA closed the donut hole, saving Michiganders with Medicare $838 million, or $1,176 per person on average in 2015.

275,000 Michiganders who receive financial assistance to pay for health care will lose it, and may no longer be able to afford health care.

Also, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 73,000 Michigan young adults between the ages of 18-26 who are on their parents’ health care plans under a provision of the ACA could lose coverage.

“There is no doubt that the Republican plan would be a disaster for Michigan families,” said House Democratic Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing). “It is clear that they don’t have the best interest of working people at heart when they talk about repealing the ACA without a replacement. That’s why we need to pass the Health Care Bill of Rights now, so that Michigan families will know that their health care needs will be protected in our state.”

Michigan House Democrats are holding a series of health care town halls to listen to concerns residents have about losing access to affordable health care under Republican plans, and about how the Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights can protect them. The first town hall was held in Lansing Monday night, with about 50 people attending.